DHAKA, April 6, 2024 (BSS) - Bangladesh has called on United Nations (UN) for collective actions to ensure rights, dignity, and well-being of the children with autism.

 “Let us work together to increase awareness and advocacy to ensure the rights, dignity, and well-being of children with developmental disabilities including autism,” said Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith on the World Autism Awareness Day.

Co-hosted by the delegations of Bangladesh, Ghana, Malaysia, Philippines, Qatar and Zambia in partnership with key civil society organizations working in the field of autism and developmental disabilities, the event was held in the UN on Friday, according to a press release received here today. 

The function featured an open forum and an art and fashion exhibition that displayed the artistic work of children with autism.

At the open forum, Bangladesh highlighted the importance of accelerating awareness and actions towards addressing the challenges faced by the children with autism and their families as the world faces increased prevalence of autism.

“It is alarming that in 2022, 1 in 100 persons have been detected to have autism spectrum disorder. We must step up efforts to ensure their overall wellbeing and societal inclusion,” said Muhith.   

Referring to the 2011 Dhaka Declaration on Autism Spectrum Disorders and Developmental Disabilities, Dhaka highlighted the progress made in raising awareness on autism, especially in South East Asia, which accounts for almost 15 percent of global prevalence of developmental disabilities.

Bangladesh called for increased cooperation and investments towards ensuring education, social inclusion, and quality healthcare services to the children with autism.

An advocates’ call to action was launched at the meeting. 

The inauguration of the Art and Fashion exhibition was participated by a large number of audiences including diplomats, self-advocates and parent advocates, civil society organizations and artists with development disabilities.